Damien Leith believes Australian mums are the real idols

Damien shot to fame and won the hearts of all Australians when he won Australian Idol in 2006. Since then he has released four albums, The Winners Journey, Where We Land, Catch the Wind and his most recent album, the critically acclaimed Remember June, was released in October 2009. The second single lifted from his new album is Forgive Forget and will be delivered to radio on 8 February 2010.

He has won five ARIA Awards, had two number one albums and been nominated for two MTV Australia Video Awards and a Helpman Award. He is also an accomplished fictional author with his second novel, also titled Remember June, due out in April 2010. Damien will also be touring nationally as part of his Keys & Strings shows throughout February, March and April, 2010.

Despite all his success and fame, Damien says the most important thing to him is his family – his wife Eileen and their two boys, Jarvis and Jagger – who keep him well and truly grounded.

“I believe that family is very important and the pivotal person in most families is the mum,” he says. “Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards recognise the wonderful work that mum’s all around Australia do and I am delighted to be an ambassador and support the awards.”

“With nominations for the awards closing this Sunday, 31 January 2010, I urge all Australians to nominate a great mum that they know. Mothers are the unsung heroes in our community and deserve to be acknowledged for the important role they play."

Damien will join our other longstanding ambassadors, Dennis Coard, Debra Lawrence, Paul Mercurio and Lisa Wilkinson - as well as our national ambassador, Noni Hazlehurst - in promoting and supporting the awards, and showing our winning mums just how much their hard work is appreciated.

"We are delighted Damien has accepted our invitation to join the awards as an ambassador,” said Glynis Sequeira, Marketing Director of Barnardos Australia. “Damien’s popularity with the Australian public, his down to earth and warm nature, his dedication to his own family and the love he has for his mum make him a tremendous asset to the awards and Barnardos Australia. We are extremely grateful to Damien for his time and commitment."